Image Line Software, creators of Fruity Loops and Deckadance, has released its latest synthesizer, Ogun.

Named after the god of iron*, Ogun is a powerful synthesizer for creating metallic sounds, although it’s not limited to this genre. Ogun’s synthesis engine can generate more than 32,000 harmonics, modulated by ‘harmonic mapping’ functions.

The ‘Additive synthesis’ engine that lies is in the heart of Ogun creates complex waveforms by combining sine-waves of harmonic multiples of the fundamental frequency and generates 32,767 harmonics.

Audio demos of Ogun are available at the Image Line site.

The Timbre section shapes the harmonic spectrum and controls change the weighting, or probability, that each harmonic in the spectra will sound.

One of the easiest ways to create new and complex timbres in Ogun is to use the resynthesis functions. Ogun can analyze an input sound and automatically recreate the timbral essence of the sound. Ogun can create unique harmonic mappings based on the start and on the end of the sample. By morphing between these harmonic mappings the original harmonic motion is reproduced.

Expressive performance is captured with the X-Y modulation window, freely assignable (to target synthesis parameters in Ogun) and can be quickly linked to any external controller.

Ogun comes with several effects: EQ, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Filter, Unison.

Key features:

• A massive additive synthesis engine (up to 32,767 harmonics)
• Realistic metallic timbres through harmonic randomization or timbre analysis (resynthesis)
• Fast, precise tonal shaping through multipoint envelopes (of Sytrus fame)
• Advanced Unison engine
• XY modulation pad for live expressive control
• Effects: Filter, Chorus, Delay, Reverb and EQ
• Space-saving GUI

Ogun is a Windows VSTi. A FL Studio plugin version is in the works. Ogun is available at the Image Line Software web shop for US $ 79. A fully functional demo is available.

*In Haitian Vodou and Yoruba mythology, Ogun is a god and orisha who presides over fire, iron, politics, hunting and war.